A Blog About Celtic Music.

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When exploring music in either Spotify or iTunes, there are so many genres to choose from — orchestra to metal, pop to indie, instrumental to acapella, and the list goes on. The music industry is a huge place for every individual to experience new or old music to find what he or she is looking for. It could be music for working out, a house party, doing assignments, or even for all-night work, but at the end of the day, the individual should always choose the type of songs that he or she can feel something about. It can be something that he or she can feel like dancing to or singing with; something that makes him or her feel energetic when working on a project; something to keep him or her awake while driving; or even something that he or she can relax to, to the point of possibly falling asleep.

Easy listening, a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1940s to 1950s, is the kind of music that creates a soothing ambiance which would make the listener feel calm and relaxed. Unlike most songs, easy listening music is usually instrumental, have an average to slow tempo, whimsical sounds, and yet is rather loose regarding the melody. Considered as soft music, easy listening music is also used in business places such as spas and salons, and for spiritual meditation. Under easy listening music lies a few traditional forms of music due to its simple yet highly melodic sounds.

Celtic music, a type of a traditional folk form of music that originated from Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, is considered as easy listening music due its loose melody and tonal chords. Usually arranged with string and wind instruments such as flutes and harps, Celtic music easy listening can either be purely instrumental or with vocals which sing tales of love, war, separation, and folk lullabies. It commonly listens. Samples of this music are found in movies such as Braveheart (1995) and the famous Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003).

In Celtic music today, this genre has expanded, evolved, and fused with a few other music genres. Samples of modern Celtic music bands are The Corrs, Orthodox Celts, and Albannach. There are some songs in this genre which are catchier and more melodic due to the fusion of jazz with it. Examples would be Dalla’s “Tane An Gove,” Subterranean Jazz’s “Streets of Perth,” and “S’Och A’ Dhomhnaill Oig Ghaolaich” or also known as the Waulking Song by Capercaillie.

Other songs are blended with the rock genre, retaining a few traditional Celtic instruments, with the song lyrics either being translated into English or not. Samples of such songs are Alan Stivell, Tri Yann, Dan Ar Braz, Servat and Armens’s “Tri Martolod,” Gaelic Storm’s “Lover’s Wreck,” and The Mahones’ “Shakespeare Road.”

Celtic music is a traditional folk music genre found from parts of Europe, mainly those with a Celtic heritage found in Ireland, Scotland, and parts of the Iberian Peninsula. This form of music largely consists of wind and string instruments, namely harps, pipes, and flutes. Its sound is somewhat loose with a melody that moves up and down the primary chords. Many describe it as relaxing, soothing, and a reminiscent of forest-scapes. Samples of the music genre can be heard from famous movies such as “Lord of the Rings” (2001-2003), “Song of the Sea” (2014), and “Braveheart” (1995).

Celtic Music: The Definitive Collection is a compilation of Celtic artists with a 2008 and 2013 CD release. Prominent artists or composers would include Loreena McKennit, Shirley Castle, and Sarah Brightman. Both considered in the genre of folk, country, and the world, the first album is made up of three CDs with a total duration of two and a half hour while the second album consists of two CDs with a duration of more than an hour and a half.

Homogenously, The Definitive Collection 2008 and 2013 assemble a vast and varied experience of the well-loved melodies distinctive of the Highlands of Scotland and the Irish coast. The first and second collection features instrumentals, English and a few more customary Gaelic songs such as Mo Ghile Mear, Suo Gan, and Rasserenatta-prob. However, a few modern pieces including the Prayer, May It Be, and Angel dot the collection with easily recognizable tunes. Also, most of the vocals are sung in English, which makes it easier for the listener to know what the song is all about. Both also include English translations of some traditional folk songs such as the Legend of Greenhills, Nena Maria, and The Flowers of Magherally.

Regarding the differences between the two albums, the second Definitive Collection is mostly composed of instrumentals with a total mix of variation unlike the former. From the rhythmic beats of Riverdance to the rolling hums of Firelands, and the sweeping melodies of Lass Glenshee, the collection features an Electronica-Celtic mix such as The Apple Tree by Katherine Lars and Tale of the Forest by Uriel Vaughan. Ideally, it also provides more change of ambiance. From the travelling reminiscent songs by Shaun Lochalsh and The Gaelic, the album shifts to sad and moody tunes such as Flood of Tears, Death of Richard-in-Irons, You Brought Me Up, and Never Be the Sun.

As much as both albums are a bit disjointed on how the repertoire is arranged, it is an ideal introduction to those who just started delving into the genre. Also, it is also a collection of avid and long-time fans. Due to its contrast of mood, English translated songs, and a various mix of the music genre, the listener will have a gist of Celtic Music originating from different countries. These two collections are very informative, must-get, up-to-date, and an easy to listen of compilations.

There is no better way to express your Irish side than by incorporating the rich culture of Ireland into the moments that you value the most, from your birthdays, your professional successes, and even to your wedding. There are a lot of ways for you to incorporate your inner Celt in the planning of your wedding, such as by using Celtic songs as you walk down the aisle. Imagine you, in your perfect wedding gown, walking down the aisle while the guests at your wedding stare at you with delight and admiration. As you do so, the calming yet at the same time perfectly suited Celtic music plays, escorting you to the altar.

If you are looking for Celtic music to walk down the aisle, you are not alone. It has been a very old yet very beautiful tradition to use Celtic songs to escort a lady down the aisle on her wedding day. When looking for the perfect song for your wedding, many useful tips can guide you in making the right choice. There are many things to consider, such as what song will play in the different parts of the wedding since a specific song should be attributed to a specific moment of the ceremony.

There is a very large collection of songs that you can use, and some which can be your choice for Celtic music to walk down the aisle. You can choose from the traditional Celtic melodies that have stood the test of time for centuries, or you can use Irish folk music from a vast collection of melodies. However, regardless of which song you choose, it will be the most evocative, memorable, unique, and inspirational song that you will hear, and at your wedding, of all occasions. Perfectly suits the whole idea of incorporating Irish and Celtic culture into your wedding!

The first song that you will have to pick would be for the wedding’s prelude. The prelude takes place before the wedding while the guests are being seated before the wedding begins. Choosing a song for this part of the wedding is important because it will set the overall mood of the entire wedding. When it comes to choosing a song for the wedding’s prelude, most couples go for the traditional songs such as Spancil Hill,

Galway Bay, Down by the Sally Gardens, or Only Our Rivers Run Free.

For the most important part of the wedding, the processional, some of the most popular Celtic music to walk down the aisle chosen by many brides includes Scenes of Antrim, The Bride’s Return, The Meeting of the Waters, and Carrickfergus. The most commonly chosen among these songs is Scenes of Antrim, which is a melody that is considered as the most appropriate for a wedding ceremony. It is an uplifting song, which lightens the mood during the ceremony, without sacrificing the magnitude and solemnity of the whole event.

Whichever song you choose for your wedding, Celtic music will provide you with the most authentic Irish cultural experience for your wedding, which will be remembered fondly over the years.